Bucknell University Athletics
Lightweight Eight Named Damon's Bison Athlete of the Week
5/11/2009 8:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
May 11, 2009
LEWISBURG, Pa. - For the first time in the history of the award, Bucknell's lightweight eight boat was named the Damon's Bison Athlete of the Week on Monday. The lightweight eight claimed first place at the Dad Vail Regatta, which took place on the Schuylkill River this past weekend.
The Bison won Saturday's 2,000-meter final by nearly six seconds over second-place California. Bucknell crossed the finish line in 7 minutes, 15.252 seconds, while the Bears timed in at 7:21.118. Patriot League foe Lafayette took fifth in the final, more than 12 seconds back, after finishing one spot behind the Bison in the heat.
Friday's heat, which was shortened to 1,500 meters due to weather conditions, featured a third-place finish for Bucknell as the top four teams were separated by less than 1.5 seconds. Buffalo claimed first in 5:17.919, while California was second in 5:18.135 and Bucknell third in 5:19.165.
Bucknell's boat consisted of Alexandra Higbee (coxswain), Kim Weaver (8), Caitlyn Oster (7), Meghan O'Reilly (6), Caitlin Vogelsang (5), Hilary Strong (4), Christa Rotolo (3), Katharine Leonard (2), Katlynn Pentecoste (1). The lineup featured five freshmen and no seniors.
This is the fifth time in the last four years a women's rowing boat has earned Bison Athlete of the Week honors. The varsity eight earned the award after winning Patriot League titles in 2006, 2007 and 2008, while the second varsity eight was cited in 2006 after winning at the Murphy Cup.
By winning the Dad Vail Regatta, Bucknell qualified for the IRA National Championship Regatta, which will take place the first weekend in June on Lake Natoma in Gold River, Calif. The Bison claimed first place at the event in 2007, winning the first national title in school history in the process.
